Behavioral & Mental Health

I have been a lifelong resident of Connecticut and have been with The Center for Advanced Pediatrics (then PANDA) since November 1995. I attended the University of Connecticut at Storrs and I received by BS degree in Pharmacy in 1986. I received my MD degree from the University of Connecticut Medical Center in Farmington. I completed my pediatric residency training at New York Medical College/Westchester County Medical Center and I also served as Pediatric Chief Resident. When I began my career at Advanced Pediatrics, I was working part time while I completed my fellowship training in Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Yale. I am a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and am Board Certified in General Pediatrics and Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

I reside in Wilton with my wife and three boys. If you don’t see me at the office it’s likely that you’ll find me at one of the local hockey rinks, either playing or watching my boys play. I am currently the Medical Director of the Robert B. Appleby School Based Health Clinics at the three high schools in Norwalk. My wife, Janet, and I teach classes in Disability Awareness, Safety and Anatomy and First Aid at some of the local elementary schools each spring.

M.D. degree – University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT

B.S. Degree in Pharmacy – University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

Internship and Residency in Pediatrics at N.Y. Medical College – Westchester Medical Center

Chief Pediatric Resident – NY Medical College 1994 – 1995

Board Certified – American Board of Pediatrics Secondary Specialty – Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Associate Professor New York Medical College – Westchester Medical Center

Clinical Instructor Yale University School of Medicine

Fellow American Academy of Pediatrics

Hospital Privileges at Norwalk & Stamford Hospitals

Pediatric Associates of Norwalk & Darien since 1996

I always knew that I wanted to help children have a voice. I started out believing I wanted to be a teacher but gradually realized it was the students who didn’t have all the answers that I was most interested in helping. Once my interest in Psychology began, it never stopped.

My first job in the profession was as a mental health worker at Yale-New Haven Hospital. I was impressed with the nursing staff above all. They worked with the patients throughout the day, counseled them, created plans of care and ran the unit. I became inspired to become an advanced practice psychiatric nurse as a result.

I received my undergrad at University of Connecticut in Psychology, and my Master’s degree at Yale University School of Nursing where I became a Clinical Nurse Specialist. Once armed with my degree I moved out west to San Francisco where I worked as a nurse in many settings including in-patient hospital adolescent and adult units, psychiatric emergency rooms and a residential setting for children. Once I returned to CT I spent many years at Yale New-Haven Hospital this time as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the Pediatric Emergency room evaluating all children with psychiatric emergencies. From there I went to Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance where I did both individual therapy and medication evaluations and treatment for both the general clinic and emergency population, in addition to teaching Yale School of Nursing graduate students.

I began at The Center for Advanced Pediatrics (TCFAP) in March of 2005 following Dr. Marconi’s vision to integrate mental health into primary care. It has been a successful endeavor that continues to grow. I currently divide my time between TCFAP and a private practice. I am always looking for ways to enhance my skills, where recently I attended a 3 day workshop at The Beck Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(CBT) where I focused on the therapy for children. I treat most mental health issues, and use a mix of CBT, behavioral therapy and collaborative problem solving and talk therapy.

I enjoy skiing in VT, vacationing in Newport, and walking my pup (with separation anxiety oddly enough!)

Yale School of Nursing-Masters in Nursing Science-Clinical Nurse Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Nursing.

University of Connecticut-Bachelors in Psychology

Adjunct Faculty-Yale School of Nursing

Member of International Society of Psychiatric Nursing

I am a licensed clinical social worker and have practiced in a variety of settings in both New York City and Connecticut. I did not start out in social work though and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre from the Boston Conservatory and had initially set out to be a singer and actress. After auditioning and performing for a few years I decided to go to graduate school to become a social worker.

I attended Hunter College School of Social Work in New York City and upon graduation began working at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Greenwich Village. There I worked in both inpatient and outpatient Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health. During my time at St Vincent’s I got married and had my first child. Outgrowing our New York City Apartment we decided to make the move to the suburbs and settled in Connecticut. There I set up a private practice and worked at the Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut as a therapist. Most recently I have been working with, Effective School Solutions, running a program within Warde High School in Fairfield servicing adolescents struggling with a variety of mental health issues. I use an eclectic approach in my therapy with individuals drawing from psychodynamic psychotherapy, attachment therapy and also use cognitive behavioral therapy skills when helpful.

I am a mother to two little boys and in my free time love to sing, hear live music, ski, go for runs and spend time with friends and family.

I am excited to join the team at The Center for Advanced Pediatrics and look forward to using my years of experience working with children, teens and families to help people to become their best and happiest selves!